Bloom

Clouds, Dreams & Fantasy, Things to ponder...., , , , , ,

As seeds lay under the soil until condition are right,
so my next work has been slowly preparing to unfurl.

My first blog post for January, I said:

with a clean slate
and a grateful heart
I have a new start

I decided to end 2022 closing a chapter I’ve referred to as my Pandemic writing. Previously, I’ve shared little about Covid or its effect on me, in my writings. Mostly due to recognizing each of us went through this time in our history, yet each dealt with the Pandemic individually. Life continued, but in uncharted ways. Births, deaths, weddings, illness, moves, loneliness, fears and uncertainties still happened. There was no correct way to process the last couple of years. Because the impact resides within each of us, we all have a story to tell. 

My story is a collection of writings, short stories, short shorts, and some poetry. Covid opened the door for me to connect with other writers from around the world. Some groups offered writing prompts, others met via Zoom or on Facebook. It was a time to draw deep into my feelings and thoughts. Sometimes I was surprised at what rose to the surface. 

The time has come to allow these writings to become part of my works. Currently, much of my time is dedicated to completing this project. 

Title to be disclosed later.

How did living through the Pandemic effect you? Please share your responses in the comments. There are no incorrect responses, only your experience.

2023 New Start

Things to ponder...., , , , , ,

December is…

…only a memory

remembrances of days past
some sweet, some mundane
holiday songs, gone from the public square
trees once adorned with lights and baubles
now tossed by the curb
crumpled wrapping paper fills the garbage bins

December marks the end of the calendar year
the new year has arrived
like a unblemished babe awaiting impact
of what the world will lay on the babe
or the impact the babe has on others

so for us, the new year comes
it can be a clean slate
a time for new beginnings
or a holding place for the past’s baggage

baggage from the past
you can chose to toss
gone is the looking backwards
and lingering regrets


with a clean slate
and heartful of gratitude
i have a new start

Can You Relate?

Things to ponder...., , , , ,

The words below jumped off the page as I read them.

Do you get social media fatigue at the end of the year?

I wanted to scream YES. It’s the Holiday season and the thought of Christmas conjures up cheerful and pleasant feelings which radiate throughout my being. Most are personal. Those feelings don’t translate well to social media.

Are you laughing, or agreeing?

There’s this tug, which pulls me in conflicting directions.

  • I want to be creative
  • Many tasks are tied to traditions I continue to maintain
  • There is always something to be done
  • Thoughts of snuggling on the couch to enjoy the moment are tantalizing

I released a book in late October. I should market said book. There is another I should format for publication.

Somehow, all these aspects of life swirl together, creating my here and now.

The Christmas season of 2022.

To you, those who follow my blog—may you find moments to enjoy whatever makes this season special to you.

Just in Time

Finding the Way Home, , ,

Are you finding yourself wanting to snuggle in on a cool evening and read a book? Are you thinking about a gift for a reader?

Finding the Way Home may be just what you’re looking for and it’s available on Amazon.

by Linda L. Flynn
Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Girls & Women
Fiction/Contemporary Women
Price $17.99

Finding the Way Home, Book 2 of the Rosethorn series is a fictional story. You’ll reconnect with Liz, returning from Paris, where she discovered her passion and planned her future. Quickly, her high expectations were dashed as she discovers the plans she and Eric set in motion were unravelling. Life happens. Just like it does to you and me. The messiness of relationships and family issues unresolved threaten to undo Liz. She discovers an inner strength and confidence while navigating these challenges. Finding the Way Home invites you to shadow Liz as she matures and refines the dreams for her future. In the process, she learns, sometimes one must face the past to unlock their potential. Much of this story uses the Colorado Rocky Mountains as a backdrop. This environment allows the reader to discover the richness of natural beauty and friendships found there.

And yes, the cover is a photo from the Roaring Fork Valley.

After reading the book, please leave a review, or leave a comment here. I’d enjoy hearing from you.

Will it, or will it not? This one did!

Things to ponder...., , ,

I admit, I don’t know what I’m doing. Everything about my current environment differs from anything else I’ve known. The learning curve has been steep.

The first photo is of a dragon fruit bloom. Our first year here, I watched the blooms, waited and then, nothing…

I learned they often require hand pollination. So this second season, I began hand pollinating the blooms. And nothing. Nothing, that is, until late in the season. The fruit set.

You can imagine my initial surprise when the fruit starts gained in size, instead of just withering on the plant. This surprise was surpassed when I saw the fruit turning red and eventually appear ripe.

There is still much to learn.

Stepping Back in Time

Things to ponder...., , , ,

What a weekend! It was Tom’s 50th Class Reunion (twice delayed), which sent us heading to Scottsdale, AZ for Memorial Day Weekend. The class reunion was great and provided my hubby with the opportunity to connect with folks from his past, talk about high-school pranks, project cars and hobbies. We enjoyed much laughter and good connection with some of his former classmates. During the video presentations of senior pictures, I realized those students looked like the kids I graduated from high school with 50 years ago. They sure looked young! My guess is they were like the kids I graduated with. They thought they knew much about life, Didn’t we all experience a surprise?

Though the reunion was fun, our accommodations were the highlight of the weekend. We stayed in the house where Tom grew up. A home built in the early 50s, designed by a renowned architect and built by Del Web as one of his first homes before he became famous for building communities. This house was a one of a kind in a unique neighborhood developed by invitation of the owners of Ride ‘n Rock Ranch. This house was the initial build within the area and identified as the Ranch Guest House. The owner never stayed in the home, but used it as a perk for his executives and for tax benefits. A breezeway separated the bedrooms from the main structure, with each bedroom having its own entrance and a private bathroom. Tom’s parents were the second owners of the structure. During their tenure there, they enclosed the breezeway, which resulted in the first bedroom being connected to the main part of the house.

There’s a one lane road leading to the home, which is set back with plantings and trees lining the walkway to the entry. I felt like I was entering an enchanted zone.

The current owners are passionate about the history of the home and understanding changes performed on the property. They have amassed a huge history on the house and the neighborhood.

Tom has told me many stories of the place and his growing up experiences. I have to admit, I struggled to understand the layout or the neighborhood. His stories came to life for me. It felt like I stepped back in time.

Reflections from home…

England, Haiti, , , , ,

We’re home. Landed, unpacked and adjusted to another time change. We’ve had time to process the early months of 2022. It feels good to be home. We returned changed; different from when we left in January. We immersed ourselves in the Irish culture of County Kerry; we reconnected with old friends and made new. Any time one opens themselves to another or something new, they change.

Our return in 2019 and again in 2020 started me thinking I needed to slow down and not rush through life as I was. I had no plan for implementing this change, but recognized it was something I needed. (Enter Covid), which made the change possible. Ha-ha.

The Pandemic left me (Linda), believing God was refining his church. What Ireland revealed to me convinces me of this belief even more. Pastors would tell us they lost some members, they gained some members during Covid. We saw them last in January/February 2020, just prior to the world closing its borders because of Covid. The difference in those congregations/fellowships between 2020 and 2022 was discernable, and so encouraging. People appeared more committed to their faith, and so much more compassionate and committed to their fellow believers. Covid did not surprise God, nor has he stopped working in the hearts of believers around the globe. These communities were more confident in themselves and what they believed. I returned to America with hope in my heart. Hope that we too in America will draw strength from our faith, that we’ll become more committed to the basis of our faith and that we’ll have more compassion for those around us.

When I think of the friendships in County Kerry, my heart is overflowing. I’m grateful for the time I spent with fellow believers, fellow writers, friends of mine.

Between Ireland and home, we spent a week with friends/family in Dorchester, England. It was a time of relaxing, refreshment, and renewed friendship. Sometimes I wish the Atlantic Ocean was not between me and my friends.

There may be more thoughts later, but for now, I’ll just share some of my favorite photos.